Recording additional channels of a shared multi-channel transmitter

ABSTRACT

A method for recording multiple pieces of content with a single tuner. A content delivery network can include multiple channels organized into bands with several channels per band. These bands can be transmitted on an up-link such as to a satellite. The bands can be relayed to receivers at the end user locations. The end user receivers can tune to one, two, or some other fraction of the total number of transmitted bands. When a user selects a program to view and/or record, a tuner of the receiver tunes to the band that includes the channel that includes the program. The method prompts the user regarding the other channels that form the set of channels on that band, and solicits input for recording one or more concurrent programs of the band, which can all be recorded on the single receiving tuner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/286,157 which was filed on Oct. 31, 2011, entitled“RECORDING ADDITIONAL CHANNELS OF A SHARED MULTI-CHANNEL TRANSMITTER,”which claims the benefit under U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/526,382, filed on Aug. 23, 2011, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference into the present application in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to content recording, and morespecifically to recording multiple channel streams on a multi-channeltransmitter.

BACKGROUND

Conventional content transmission networks can be configured to providea data stream from a source transmitter (e.g., cable hub, satellite,etc.) to a receiver (e.g., cable receiver, satellite dish, etc.). Aconventional transmitter can be configured to handle a certain amount ofbandwidth (e.g., 40 megabits per second), which may be determined (e.g.,limited) by the physical technology used to facilitate thetransmissions. Traditional content streams may consume a smaller amountof data, e.g., a single high definition digitally encoded channel mayconsume an average of 4 megabits per second. Thus, a conventionalcontent provider can transmit a plurality of channels on a singletransmitter, e.g., a 40 megabit transmitter can transmit approximatelyten 4 megabit channels. Conventional video encoding sizes can depend onthe video content, not only the resolution and format of the underlyingvideo, and therefore, fluctuate in the amount of bandwidth each channelconsumes at any given moment. Conventional averaging, load-balancing,and/or statistical analysis can be used to configure the channel loadsof each transmission stream and determine the exact number of channelson a transmission stream. Regardless of the exact number, eachconventional transmission stream can be configured to carry a pluralityof channels.

For a particular transmission stream, a plurality of channels can beencoded with a codeword or some other encryption method, multiplexedtogether and transmitted to a receiving arrangement. The receivingarrangement can include a tuner that selects which of the plurality ofchannels a user is “tuned” to and decode that particular channel topresent on a video output device (e.g., television) and/or record to astorage device (e.g., digital video recorder). The receiving arrangementcan conventionally receive one (or some small number of) transmissionstreams, and can conventionally decode one (or some small number of)channels within the one transmission stream. In one example, aconventional operation can include transmitting eighty channels on tenstreams, with eight channels per stream. When a user tunes to or recordsa particular channel, the receiver arrangement (e.g., a user's satellitedish and receiver box) can tune to the particular data stream havingthat channel and then decode the particular channel. When a user changeschannels within the same transmission stream, the receiving arrangementcan immediately begin decoding the new channel. When a user changeschannels to a channel on a different transmission stream, the receivingarrangement can tune to the new data stream, and begin decoding theparticular channel. Conventional arrangements typically provide onetuner or two tuners, sometimes four tuners, but could provide any othernumber. Typically however, the number of channels that can be recordedand/or viewed at any one time is a very small subset of all availablechannels, and each tuner can typically decode only one channel at atime, limiting the number of recordable channels to the number ofindependent tuners included in the conventional receiving arrangement.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments can include systems and methods of thepresent disclosure for recording additional channels without requiringadditional tuner hardware. For example, one exemplary method of thepresent disclosure can include receiving from a user a request to recorda particular piece of content from a content delivery network. Thecontent delivery network is configured such that it delivers a pluralityof pieces of content organized into a plurality of content subsets on aplurality of channels that are organized into a plurality of channelsubsets on a plurality of bands. The exemplary method can includeidentifying a particular channel associated with the particular piece ofcontent, identifying a particular band associated with the particularchannel, and informing the user of other channels associated with theparticular band. The exemplary method can include receiving from theuser a request to record another particular piece of content associatedwith one of the other channels associated with the particular band.Further, the exemplary method can include concurrently recording theparticular piece of content and the other particular piece of contentwith a single tuner.

In alternative or additional exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the particular piece of content and the other particularpiece of content are delivered concurrently in a pre-scheduledtemporally linear manner. Alternatively or additionally, informing theuser of other channels can include informing the user of a plurality ofparticular pieces of content scheduled to be delivered on the otherchannels associated with the particular band concurrently with theparticular piece of content on the particular channel. Alternatively oradditionally, the particular piece of content is a streaming audio-videotransmission.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an exemplarysystem for displaying and/or recording multiple content streams on asingle tuner is provided and includes a transponder-receiver configuredto select and receive a band of channels from a plurality of bands overa channel distribution network. The exemplary system includes anelectronic processor in communication with the transponder-receiver andin communication with an electronic storage medium. The exemplaryelectronic processor is configured to receive user-input for displayingand/or recording a particular piece of content; identify a particularchannel associated with the particular piece of content; and identify aparticular band associated with the particular channel. The exemplaryelectronic processor can also be configured to provide the userinformation of other channels associated with the particular band; andreceive from the user a request to display and/or record anotherparticular piece of content associated with one of the other channelsassociated with the particular band. The exemplary electronic processorcan be configured to, responsive to occurrence of a pre-scheduledcontent start time, tune the tuner to the particular band; and thenconcurrently record the particular piece of content and the otherparticular piece of content with a single tuner.

In alternative or additional exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the particular piece of content and the other particularpiece of content are delivered concurrently in a pre-scheduledtemporally linear manner. Alternatively or additionally, beingconfigured to inform the user of other channels includes informing theuser of a plurality of particular pieces of content scheduled to bedelivered on the other channels associated with the particular bandconcurrently with the particular piece of content on the particularchannel. Alternatively or additionally, the particular piece of contentis a streaming audio-video transmission. Alternatively or additionally,configured to concurrently record includes storing the particular pieceof content and the other particular piece of content to the electronicstorage medium as a single encoded file. Alternatively or additionally,configured to concurrently record includes storing the particular pieceof content and the other particular piece of content to the electronicstorage medium as separate decoded files. Alternatively or additionally,each piece of content is encoded with a control word, and configured toconcurrently record if facilitated by the particular piece of contentand the other particular piece of content being encoded with the samecontrol word.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a system including portions of the system of FIG. 2 andseveral additional devices.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting a method of providing selections formultiple recordings.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of multiple channel time-slot programming.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method of processing multiplexedcontent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, andcomputer program products that embody various elements of the presentdisclosure. However, it should be understood that the describeddisclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to thosedescribed herein.

In various implementations, systems and methods of the presentdisclosure can allow a user to record more than one channel per tuner,and up to every channel in a single multi-channel data stream pertransponder. Users of content receivers may desire to access differentinstances of content that are broadcast simultaneously and/orsubstantially contemporaneously by content providers (e.g., multiplechannels of a single transponder stream). For example, many televisionprogramming viewers wish to watch different television programs thatoccupy the same broadcast time slot. Content receivers may attempt toaddress this issue by utilizing multiple tuners that can each separatelypresent and/or record different, simultaneously broadcast instances ofcontent. However, a separate tuner is still generally required for eachsimultaneous or substantially contemporaneous instance of broadcast,e.g., each channel. These separate tuners may create a substantial costfor increasing the number of simultaneous channels a receiver can viewand/or record. Further, in addition to separate tuners required for eachinstance or channel of content, the content receiver may requiresufficient resources to descramble and store each of the instances ofcontent desired by the user, which also may create a substantial costfor increasing the number or power of various electronic processors usedin the descrambling logic.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for receiving andautomatically recording multiple instances of content from one or moreprogramming providers. The automatic recording of multiple instances ofcontent provided by the system 100 may enable users of content receiversto access different instances of content that are broadcastsimultaneously and/or substantially contemporaneously by contentproviders.

In various broadcast systems, content providers may broadcast content toa plurality of different content receivers via one or more frequencybands utilizing one or more satellites. Each multiplexed signalcontained in the frequency band (sometimes referred to as a transponder)may be configured to include data related to one or more instances ofcontent, such as one or more television programming channels. The datarelated to each of the instances of content included in each frequencymay be scrambled utilizing one or more CWs (control words), which maythen be encrypted to generate one or more ECMs (entitlement controlmessages) which may in turn be included with the data. A contentreceiver may typically tune to one or more of the frequency bands toreceive the multiplexed signal that contains data for a particularprogramming channel utilizing one or more tuners. The content receivermay process only a subset of the programming channels by keeping thedata associated with the particular programming channel and discardingdata received via the tuned frequency band and multiplexed signalassociated with other programming channels. The content receiver maydecrypt the ECM included with the data associated with the particularprogramming channel to obtain the CW, descramble the data utilizing theCW, and store and/or transmit the data (e.g., decompressed,reconstructed audio and video data) to one or more presentation devices.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in this implementation, one or more contentproviders (e.g., a channel broadcast provider) may select multipleinstances of content 101 to be simultaneously transmitted, and may beautomatically recorded by utilizing predefined recording parameters. Inother examples, the content provider may select television eventsassociated with programming channels for a particular time period (suchas a half hour, multiple hours, and/or an entire programming day) inresponse to user selections. After the content provider selects themultiple instances of content, the multiple instances of content may bemultiplexed utilizing a multiplexer 102. The multiplexed signal (whichincludes the multiplexed selected multiple instances of content) maythen be scrambled by a scrambler 105 utilizing one or more CWs 103. TheCW may be encrypted to generate an ECM, which may be included with themultiplexed signal. The scrambled multiplexed signal may then beincluded in a broadcast on a frequency band (e.g., cable, satellite),which may then be transmitted to one or more satellites 106 forbroadcast. The satellite 106 may receive the frequency band (uplinkfrequency band) and then broadcast the multiplexed signal to a number ofcontent receivers on a translated frequency band (downlink frequencyband), such as a content receiver that includes a tuner 107.

In conventional systems the tuner 107 may be set to a particularstation, and the content receiver may align the receiving transponder toreceive the particular multi-channel band that includes the particularchannel. The tuner 107 may then decode the particular channel, filteringout any other channel on the band. In exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the receiver can facilitate a user selecting morethan one channel for recording and/or viewing, if those channels arewithin the same band (or bands, e.g., in the case of multiple tuners).

In one exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, channels 101 can beconfigured to all share a common CW and ECM. The tuner 107 may tune tothe frequency band that includes the multiple instances of content(which may be performed in response to one or more recordinginstructions received by the content receiver that includes the tunerfrom the content provider). The data received via the tuned frequencymay be demultiplexed by a demultiplexer 109 and then descrambled by adescrambler 110 utilizing the CW before being displayed or stored in anon-transitory storage medium 111 (which may take the form of, but isnot limited to, a magnetic storage medium; optical storage medium;magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory; random access memory;erasable programmable memory; flash memory; and so on) based onrecording parameters, such as predefined recording parameters. Thedemultiplexer 109 may obtain the included ECM 104, and the ECM may beprovided to a smart card 108 that may decrypt the ECM 104 to obtain theCW 103 for the descrambler 110. Hence, the multiple instances of contentmay subsequently all be available to a user of the content receiver(until such time as they are removed from the non-transitory storagemedium) without requiring multiple tuners to receive each of themultiple instances of content, without requiring the smart card todecrypt multiple ECMs. In some implementations, the multiple instancesof content may be stored in a single file.

Although the system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is described aboveas including a number of specific components configured in a specificarrangement, it is understood that this is for the purposes of exampleand other arrangements involving fewer and/or additional components arepossible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, in various implementations, the multiple instances of contentmay be individually scrambled utilizing the control word prior tomultiplexing. In another example, in some implementations, the datareceived via the tuned frequency may be demultiplexed before beingindividually descrambled utilizing the control word.

In still other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a system 112 may beprovided where the demultiplexing operation and thus the demultiplexer110 may be omitted. That is, as described above, the ECM may be providedto a smartcard 108 which may decrypt the ECM to obtain the CW 103 andthe data received via the tuned frequency may be descrambled by acombiner 109 utilizing the CW 103. However, the multiplexed data maythen be stored in a computer readable storage medium 111 in itsmultiplexed form. That is, the content stream may remain multiplexed andthe multiple instances of content may be stored in multiplexed formrather than separating out the several instances of content and storingrelated instances of content in groups of associated content.

As shown in FIG. 3, a system 120 can be provided, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and can include deviceshaving parts or portions of the system 112 included therein. Forexample, as shown, the system 120 can include a content receiver 122having a tuner 107, a combiner 109, a smartcard 108, and a computerreadable storage medium 111, The content receiver 122 may also include acomputer processor 124 in communication with the tuner 107 and thestorage medium 111 for controlling the tuner 107 and accessinginformation from or sending information to the storage medium 111. Anoutput 126 may also be provided in communication with the processor 124for receiving content from the processor and transmitting the content tothe presentation device 128.

Exemplary embodiments can include storage of content relating totelevision programming on multiple different channels during the sametime period (for example, four channels). The information stored may notbe demultiplexed into separate files associated with the particularchannels or into separate files associated with the particular programson those channels. Rather, in this exemplary embodiment, a single blockof information can be stored and may include data relating to all of thechannels arranged in multiplexed form as received from the combiner.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include a userinterface for user selections and user input. FIG. 4 illustrates oneexemplary flow logic (e.g., an exemplary method), according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., as implemented byan exemplary user interface. At 410, the exemplary method can receiverecord instructions from a user (e.g., user 411), e.g., indicating theuser 411 wants to record a segment of time (e.g., a show, program, etc.)of a particular channel (e.g., channel 7). The exemplary method cannext, at 415, identify which band the selected channel is transmittedon. Two bands with four channels each are illustrated in FIG. 4, but anynumber of channels, bands, or channels per band are possible, along withdifferent quantity of channels per band. Having identified that channel7 is transmitted in band 2, the exemplary method, e.g., at 420, candisplay the other channels of this band to the user, e.g., indicating tothe user that channels 5, 6, and/or 8 are also available for display orrecording. At 430, user 411 can make preference selections indicatingwhich, if any, of the other channels in the given band should berecorded, and at 440 the exemplary method can configure the users settop box to record and/or display the selected channels, e.g., in amanner illustrated with regard to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1and 2, or any number of other suitable configurations.

It should be appreciated that multi-channel recording from within aparticular band may be temporally limited to those times in which a userdesires to record content on multiple channels. That is, multi-channelrecording, as described herein, may be initiated only when the userwishes to record content from both a first and second channel within aband at the same time.

In the exemplary context of video content programming (e.g., televisionbroadcasting/distribution), a user's preferences may be program (e.g.,specific show) based, and less channel based. Users can have apreference for recording an entire channel (e.g., the weather channel,HGTV, or any other), but users may also have specific contentpreferences, regardless of which channel that content is programmed on.Thus, and in the context of the exemplary method of FIG. 4, when a user411 provides instructions to record a show on channel 7, that show canhave a start time and an end time. Then, at 420, instead of or inaddition to displaying the various channels on the same band as channel7, the exemplary method can display the specific programs that alignwith the user's selected show. For example, a user can specify a desireto record show X, which runs from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on channel 7. Then,instead of or in addition to informing the user that channels 5, 6, and8 can also be recorded, the exemplary method can inform the user thatshows A, B, and C can also be recorded, e.g., where shows A, B, and Care respectively on channels 5, 6, and 8 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In some exemplary situations, programming content on the multiplechannels may not align at the same time increment. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5, show F may run from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Inthis exemplary embodiment, if a user indicated a desire to record showG, which runs from 8:30 to 9:00, a single tuner would be able to recordthe second half of show G without needing any additional transmissionrecourses, but recording the first half of show G may limit theexemplary tuner to this band (e.g., Band 2) during the period of 8:00 to8:30, when the tuner would have otherwise been free to be scheduled onother bands. Different exemplary embodiments can include one or morerules for resolving mismatches. For example, when offering other shows,based on the desire to record a first show, if a tuner resource is freeduring any period of no overlap, those shows can be listed, e.g.,recording show G would prompt the user about also recording shows K, L,and/or F. Then, if the user indicates a desire to record show F, asecond supplemental prompting can indicate to the user that shows H, I,and J are also available for recording in this block.

Exemplary embodiments can also include conditional recording options.For example, if a user chooses to record show G, the user may bepresented with potential-conflict free choices K and L. Additionally,the user can be shown potentially conflicting choice F, in a way similarto K and L, or in a different manner (e.g., indicating the potentialconflict during the non-overlapping time portion of show F). The usercan now be presented a “record” option, and also a “record if noconflict” option. This way, the user can set this show to record if atuner is free, but can have this show automatically deleted from therecord schedule if a subsequent conflict is created (e.g., a recordsetting during the non-overlap time on another band). The conditionalrecord may not actually be deleted, but may take a lower priority to anyfuture conflicts; allowing the conditional recording to be reinstated ifthe conflicting recording is later deleted. With or without aconditional recording feature, exemplary embodiments may otherwiseresolve conflicts. For example, if a record option is selected thatcreates a conflict, e.g., overlapping time on a different band, theexemplary embodiment can prompt the user of options, which may include“cancel current recording request,” or “undo previously set recordingoption A.” Further, since exemplary embodiments can allow multiplerecordings on the same band, each recording can be required to be listedin the conflict resolution options. For example, a user can schedulerecording of all seven shows F to L on band 2. Then, if a user tries toschedule a show on band 1, from 8:00 to 8:30, the user can be promptedto cancel this request or delete all of shows F, H, I, and J. Theconflict resolution choices can be limited in exemplary embodiments withlimited numbers of tuners, but can also be complicated and the number oftuners increases, as each choice can free up tuner resources innon-overlapping time blocks. Various algorithms and/or rules can beimplemented for presenting conflict resolution choices to a user and/orautomatically performing conflict resolution, while keeping the processuser friendly and streamlined.

In another exemplary embodiment, channel organization among the severalbands can be based in part on customer usage. For example, userstatistics can indicate which channels are recorded most often by users,and which secondary channels are recorded most often by users who recorda first channel. A content delivery provider can then organize thosechannels into bands to maximize customers' recording options. Forexample, it may be determined that four major networks are the four mostoften recorded channels during certain periods. The content deliveryprovider can then ensure that those four channels are transmitted in thesame band, so that only one transponder and one tuner are required torecord those channels, along with the fifth, sixth and Nth most recordedchannels (where a certain band can handle “N” channels of data).Further, when organizing other, less recorded channels, bands caninclude channels with strong correlations. For example, “the boxing”channel may have a fraction of the viewers as the most recorded channel,but statistics may indicate that users who record “the boxing” channelhave a high likelihood of recording shows on “the mixed martial arts”channel. These channels may also be grouped into a single band for thesatisfaction of those overlapping viewer bases. Any other groupings,algorithms, organizations, statistics, and/or configurations are alsopossible with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can collect usagestatistics via a pre-existing uplink channel, or by a separate and/ornew uplink channel. Satellite, cable, and/or wireless distribution ofcontent may include a feedback channel within the distributingtechnology, which can be used to upload the usage statistics andconfiguration commands from end-users. However, some configurations,e.g., broadcast television, does not necessarily include a feedbackpath. In these instances, a separate and/or new connection (e.g., alocal Internet connection) may be implemented as a feedbackcommunication path. Other private network or virtual private networkscan be implemented independent of Internet Service Providers for returncommunication. Network I/O 129 of FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplarynetwork connection at the set top box level, according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments are not limited to simultaneous recording, andexemplary embodiments can include applications of simultaneousdisplaying. Content providers can organize multi-channel bands aroundthese simultaneous display applications, such as sporting events. A usercan have a main display (e.g., a large display) of an athletic event ofprimary interest (e.g., a college football game of a particular team),and include 1 or more secondary displays with other concurrentlyoccurring games, which can be shown on smaller displays (e.g., overlaidon the main display, or forming a full or partial block boarder alongthe main display, etc.). A user can set preferences for the displaystyle, and default can be provided (e.g., 4 equally sized displays, 1large display with three smaller displays along theleft/right/top/bottom side, and/or any number of other multiple displaysize/location layouts). In this way a broadcaster can provide multiplechannels, e.g., sports channel A to sports channel H, and legacy tunerscan allow views to tune to a desired channel, while exemplaryembodiments can allow users to simultaneously present all, or somesubset of all these channels. Other types of content can be provided ona single band for simultaneous presentation.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can include one or moreexemplary methods executed on exemplary systems for accessing anddisplaying the multiple instances of content (for example, exemplarysystem 120 can perform the exemplary method 150 shown in FIG. 6). InFIG. 6, a flow chart of the exemplary method 150 for accessing anddisplaying the multiple instances of content is shown. The method 150can include receiving content identifying information 152 for thecontent and instructions for displaying the content. A contentidentifier or PID, or group of PIDs, can be determined at 154 from thecontent identifying information. A multiplexed block can be selected 156based on the content identifiers being search for and the block can beaccessed 158 and scanned 160 for the content identifiers. Wherecorresponding identifiers are found, the associated content can beprocessed.

Content identifying information can be received at 152 from a user. Thecontent identifying information can be received when a user selects atelevision program from a menu. The menu can be arranged in one ofseveral different ways, such as by channel and time, alphabetically byprogram name, or some other organizational pattern. In any of thesecases, the selection of content by the user via a selection button on aremote control, or other selection mechanism, can provide the contentidentifying information.

The content identifier or group of content identifiers can be retrievedat 154 based on the content identifying information. That is, forexample, the content identifier selection module 132 can be accessed bythe processor 124 with the content identifying information. The contentidentifier selection module 132 can be used to look up the contentidentifiers associated therewith. For example, content identifyinginformation including a channel, a date, and a time, can be used toaccess the content identifier selection module 132 and determine the PIDor group of PIDs associated with the program.

In some embodiments, the content identifiers can be stored in the one ormore selection menus available to a user. As such, selection of contentby a user can automatically lead to the associated content identifiersand the step of accessing a content identifier selection module 132 maynot be required. The system can also retrieve at 156 a block identifier.That is, while the system can have a content identifier or group ofcontent identifiers, it may not have information regarding which blockthe content is stored in. Accordingly, the processor 124 can access theblock selection module 130 and lookup or scan the module 130 todetermine which block the content identifiers can be found in.

The processor 124 can then access 158 the block and begin scanning 160the block of content for content identifiers associated with theselected content (i.e., selected content identifiers). As the block isscanned and content identifiers are encountered, the encountered contentidentifiers can be compared to the selected content identifiers. Wherethe encountered content identifiers do not match or correspond to theselected content identifiers, the processor 124 can scan for additionalcontent identifiers. Where the encountered content identifiers do matchor correspond to the selected content identifiers, the content in theblock associated with the encountered content identifier can beprocessed. The processor can continue to scan the block for contentidentifiers and can continue to process content associated withencountered identifiers that match or correspond to the selected contentidentifiers. The processor 124 can continue this process until itreaches the end of the block.

Processing the content can include reading the content from the storagemedium, synchronizing the content with related content, and transmittingthe content to a presentation device. That is, the multiplexed nature ofthe multiple instances of content in the block can be such that severalpieces of selected content are re-assembled prior to being provided to apresentation device. The synchronizing process can involve re-assemblingthe content based on content identifiers, but also based on time stamps,for example. In the context of television programming for example, agiven instance of content can include audio, visual, and/or datacomponents, for example. Each audio, visual, or data instance of contentcan include a time stamp for use in coordinating the portions andassuring that the program presents in a coordinated fashion. Inaddition, each group of audio, visual, and data, (i.e., oncere-assembled based on time) can be re-assembled and sequenced with othergroups of audio, visual, and data such that the stream of content fordisplaying a program is re-assembled. The processor can conduct theseoperations and transmit the content to a presentation device forviewing.

At least one advantage associated with the exemplary system andexemplary method described above is that more than one channel andthereby more than one program can be simultaneously displayed and/orrecorded with a single tuner resource. The user can view and record upto N concurrently running programs, where N is the number of concurrentprograms on a band multiplied by the number to tuners (e.g., the numberof bands a receiver can concurrently receive).

In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed can be implemented assets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of operations in themethods disclosed are examples of sample approaches. In otherembodiments, the specific order or hierarchy of operations in the methodcan be rearranged while remaining within the disclosed subject matter.The accompanying method claims present elements of the variousoperations in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to belimited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The described disclosure can be provided as a computer program product,or software, that can include a non-transitory machine-readable mediumhaving stored thereon instructions, which can be used to program acomputer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a processaccording to the present disclosure. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form (e.g.,software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). The non-transitory machine-readable medium can take the formof, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppydiskette, video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g.,CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM andEEPROM); flash memory; and so on. Non-transitory storage medium is meantto include all storage mediums except transitory propagation signals.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes can be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context or particular embodiments.Functionality can be separated or combined in blocks differently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or described with differentterminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements can fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined inthe claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for storing satellite-transmittedtelevision channels, the method comprising: receiving, by a contentreceiver, a transponder frequency band that includes a group oftelevision channels transmitted via a satellite, wherein the group oftelevision channels are received during a same time period from thesatellite by the content receiver; tuning, by a single tuner of thecontent receiver, to the transponder frequency band that includes thegroup of television channels, wherein each television channel of thegroup of television channels received on the transponder frequency bandare each scrambled using a same control word when received by thecontent receiver; obtaining, by a demultiplexer of the content receiver,an entitlement control message; providing, by the demultiplexer to asmart card of the content receiver, the entitlement control message;decrypting, by the smart card of the content receiver, the entitlementcontrol message to obtain the same control word used for descrambling ofthe group of television channels; descrambling, by a descrambler of thecontent receiver, using the same control word, at least the two or moretelevision channels of the group of television channels prior to storingthe two or more television channels using the non-transitory storagemedium, wherein the descrambler is distinct from the smart card; andstoring, by the content receiver, using a non-transitory storage medium,recordings of two or more television channels of the group of televisionchannels received on the transponder frequency band tuned to by thesingle tuner of the content receiver.
 2. The method for storingsatellite-transmitted television channels of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: receiving, by the content receiver, an encrypted entitlementcontrol message in the transponder frequency band; and decrypting, bythe content receiver, the encrypted entitlement control message toobtain the same control word.
 3. The method for storingsatellite-transmitted television channels of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: receiving, by the content receiver, input from a userindicating a first television channel of the two or more televisionchannels is to be recorded; presenting, by the content receiver via apresentation device, indications of at least some of the multipletelevision channels of the transponder frequency band to the user; andreceiving, by the content receiver from the user, a selection of asecond television channel of the two or more television channels forrecording from the group of television channels received on thetransponder frequency band.
 4. The method for storingsatellite-transmitted television channels of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: outputting, by the content receiver, a television channel ofthe group of television channels received on the transponder frequencyband tuned to by the single tuner of the content receiver to apresentation device.
 5. The method for storing satellite-transmittedtelevision channels of claim 1, the method further comprising: prior tostoring the two or more television channels and after tuning to thetransponder frequency band that includes the group of televisionchannels, demultiplexing, by a demultiplexer of the content receiver,the two or more television channels of the transponder frequency bandtuned to by the single tuner of the content receiver.
 6. The method forstoring satellite-transmitted television channels of claim 1, furthercomprising: simultaneously outputting the at least two or more of themultiple television channels in a combined display screen forpresentation to a user.
 7. The method for storing satellite-transmittedtelevision channels of claim 1, the method further comprising: tuning,by a second tuner of the content receiver, to a second transponderfrequency band that includes television channels while tuning, by thesingle tuner of the content receiver, to the transponder frequency bandthat includes the group of television channels.
 8. A system, the systemcomprising: a content receiver comprising one or more tuners , anon-transitory storage medium and an electronic processor, the contentreceiver configured to: receive a transponder frequency band thatincludes a group of television channels transmitted via a satellite,wherein the multiple television channels are received during a same timeperiod from the satellite; tune by a single tuner of the one or moretuners, to the transponder frequency band that includes the group oftelevision channels, wherein each television channel of the group oftelevision channels received on the transponder frequency band arescrambled using a same control word when received by the contentreceiver; obtain, using a demultiplexer, an entitlement control message;provide to a smart card, the entitlement control message; decrypt, usingthe smart card, the entitlement control message to obtain the samecontrol word used for descrambling of the group of television channels;descramble, using a descrambler, at least two television channels of thegroup of television channels using the same control word, wherein thedescrambler is distinct from the smart card; and store, using thenon-transitory storage medium, recordings of the at least two of thegroup of television channels received on the transponder frequency bandtuned to by the single tuner of the content receiver.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, the system further comprising: a multiplexer configured tomultiplex the group of television channels to be transmitted via thesatellite to the content receiver as part of the transponder frequencyband.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising: a scrambler,communicatively coupled to the multiplexer, the scrambler configured toscramble the multiplexed group of television channels using the samecontrol word for transmission to the content receiver via the satellite.11. The system of claim 8, the content receiver further configured to:descramble the at least the two of the television channels using thesame control word prior to storing the two or more television channelsusing the non-transitory storage medium.
 12. The system of claim 8, thecontent receiver further configured to: receive an encrypted entitlementcontrol message in the transponder frequency band, wherein the encryptedentitlement control message is transmitted by the satellite as part ofthe transponder frequency band; and decrypt the encrypted entitlementcontrol message to obtain the same control word.
 13. The system claim 8,the content receiver further configured to: output for presentation, viaa presentation device, indications of at least a portion of the group oftelevision channels of the transponder frequency band to the user; andreceive, from the user, a selection of at least a first televisionchannel and a second television channel of the group of televisionchannels received on the transponder frequency band for recording. 14.The system claim 8, the content receiver further configured to: receive,from a user, input indicating a first television channel of the two ormore television channels is to be recorded; output for presentation viaa presentation device, indications of at least a portion of the group oftelevision channels of the transponder frequency band to the user; andreceive, from the user, a selection of a second television channel ofthe two or more television channels for recording from the group oftelevision channels received on the transponder frequency band.
 15. Thesystem of claim 8, the method further comprising: outputting, by thecontent receiver, a television channel of the group of televisionchannels of the transponder frequency band tuned to by the single tunerof the content receiver to a presentation device.
 16. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the content receiver further comprises a demultiplexerconfigured to: prior to storing the two or more television channels andafter tuning to the transponder frequency band that includes the groupof television channels, demultiplex the two or more television channelsof the transponder frequency band tuned to by the single tuner of thecontent receiver.
 17. The system of claim 8, wherein the contentreceiver comprises a second tuner, the content receiver furtherconfigured to: tune, using the second tuner, to a second transponderfrequency band that includes television channels while tuning, by thesingle tuner of the content receiver, to the transponder frequency bandthat includes the group of television channels.